Suicide attackers strike US embassy in Tunisia
>>TUNIS: Suicide attackers struck outside the US embassy in the Tunisian capital on Friday, killing a police officer, wounding six other people and once again shaking a city repeatedly hit by jihadist violence.
The latest attack came despite a state of emergency imposed in the North African nation in 2015 following a string of bloody assaults claimed by the Islamic State group.
The noon explosion rocked the Berges du Lac district hosting the highly fortified embassy, causing panic among pedestrians and motorists.
“Two individuals targeted a security patrol ... in the street leading to the American embassy,” the interior ministry said in a statement.
There was no immediate claim of responsibility.
Police at the scene said the assailants drove to the area on a motorcycle and detonated their explosive devices as they were approached by officers at a roundabout near the embassy.
The two attackers died and one officer, 52-year-old father of three Lieutenant Taoufik Mohammed El Nissaoui, died of his wounds.
Five more injured officers and a lightly wounded female civilian were in a stable state, Interior Minister Hichem Mechichi told journalists.
“It was a homemade explosive device and we are looking for those who helped make it,” he said.
Local media reported police raids on two working-class neighbourhoods in northern Tunis.
Anti-terrorism prosecutors have opened an enquiry, spokesman Sofiene Sliti said, but no arrests had yet been made.
DNA tests were underway to identify the attackers, he said, adding that a large quantity of explosives was used.
“All security units are on high alert,” the interior ministry said.
After Friday’s blast, police sent reinforcements and forensic experts to the area, where body parts were strewn across the ground.
Earlier police had said one of the two assailants had tried to enter the embassy but was prevented by police.
US ambassador to Tunisia Donald Blome praised authorities for their “immediate protection” of the embassy.